Sasha Reed

Research Ecologist

Short Biography

My Science Topics

My USGS Science Strategy Areas

• Biofuels development in the southwestern U.S.: Alternative energy offers a suite of potential benefits for lowering greenhouse gas emissions, adding to our economy, and reducing our dependence upon foreign oil. In particular, due to high solar energy and newer alternatives of biofuel crops, biofuel development in the southwestern U.S. could represent a significant source of biofuel energy. However, we know little about the potential for this region to act as an efficient biofuel energy source; what the requirements this development would be (irrigation, fertilization, etc.); what effects it would have on overall greenhouse gas budgets and local plant and animal communities; and what ecosystem consequences might follow from this development. I am currently part of a group conducting a multi-disciplinary assessment of biofuels in the southwestern U.S., integrating modeling efforts with on-the-ground assessments.
• Climate change and its effects on terrestrial ecosystems: Climate change is predicted to significantly alter terrestrial ecosystems around the globe, with the potential to negatively affect a suite of ecosystem services. I have a variety of projects - ranging from climate manipulations in southwestern U.S. drylands to elevation gradients in Hawai'ian forests - aimed at elucidating how terrestrial ecosystems will respond to climate change. In particular, I am interested in understanding the mechanisms behind observed ecosystem changes, with the overarching goal of not only bettering our understanding these systems, but of bettering our predictions of future ecosystem function as well. I work closely with a number of collaborators in order to try and reach these research goals.
• Nitrogen deposition in the Four Corners Region, USA: Nitrogen deposition in the western U.S. has repeatedly been linked with lowered air quality, increased greenhouse gas emissions, altered plant community composition, reduced water quality, and modified fire regimes. Using modeling and field approaches in Arches, Canyonlands, and Mesa Verde National Parks, I am part of a research team investigating how increased nitrogen deposition in the Four Corners region could affect plant and soil communities and their function. In particular, we are asking questions about how nitrogen deposition could affect exotic plant invasion, the frequency of natural fire regimes, and feedbacks between nitrogen deposition and multiple other aspects of terrestrial nitrogen cycling.
• Beetle infestation and riparian consequences: Beetles are affecting plant communities across the western U.S., and a relatively recent release of the Tamarisk Beetle (Diorhabda elongata) has caused major Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) defoliation events along western river corridors. I am part of a USGS team working to assess the consequences of this defoliation for biogeochemical cycling, exotic plant invasion, hydrology and plant-water interactions, and bird and mammal communities.

Southwest Biological Science Center: http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/

Canyonlands Research Station: http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/crs/

Canyonlands Research Center: http://www.canyonlandsresearchcenter.org

USGS Climate Monitoring-American Drylands (includes Canyonlands): http://data.usgs.gov/climateMonitoring/region/show?region=americandrylands